He uses a variety of firing techniques that include electric, wood fired, salt glazed, saggar fired and high fired in a propane kiln that he built. Having so many tools available allows for a wide array of surface qualities. For Charlie, kilns are like paintbrushes combined with serendipity. An educated guess allows him to control most aspects of firing. However, sometimes luck will grace a piece with a unique flash of color or texture that only kiln gods could bestow. Other times, a piece may have the opposite type of luck. The anticipation and excitement of each new discovery makes every kiln opening a bit like Christmas.